The Nightingale summer edition: butler ryokan!

Satoko was staring at Minami’s hand wrapped around her wrist at a loss.

W-What is happening? This is unfair, Minami-kun!

Minami locked his eyes with hers. “Do you have some time, Itou-san?”

Satoko’s cheeks flushed and her head started spinning. The only thing she could distinguish was Minami’s face framed by rose shoots with a heavenly expression.

“Do you have time, Itou-san?” His words echoed in her head in a super fantasized attractive tone.

I… I think I’m in heaven.

Seeing that she wasn’t replying, Minami frowned.

“Itou-san? Are you alright?” He waved a hand in front of her eyes. “Itou-san?”

She stared at him in silence for a few moments. Wake up, he’s calling you! She shook her head to return to reality.

“Y-Yes?”

Minami heaved a sigh of relief. “I thought you were going to faint.” He glanced at the point where he was holding her and immediately let go. “Sorry for startling you.”

“Oh, i-it’s fine!”

I should be the one apologizing for always making you worry… She thought, abashed.

“I wanted to ask you if we could exchange our contacts. I feel like we became a little closer during these months, so it would be a shame not seeing each other during summer.” He glanced at her. “What do you think?”

M-Minami-kun is asking for my phone number?! Satoko hid her nose behind her scarf. Am I dreaming?

She looked at his cheerful expression and her heart melted. He’s too precious!

She took out her phone and let him write down her number, then he sent her a gif with a cat.

“Now you can save my contact. See you, then!” Minami waved at her and left the class to follow his friends.

I can’t believe we actually exchanged our contacts!

Satoko was staring at her new trophy on her phone’s screen, motionless.

Now that I have his number we will text each other sometimes? Her eyes widened. Or even call each other?! Her mind played a scene where it was late at night and Minami called her to look at the moon outside the window together. Oh, it would be a dream!

***

After getting out of school, Satoko went straight to The Nightingale.

Mr. Ikeda said he had an important announcement to make, I wonder what it can be… She changed her dresses, thoughtful.

When she was done, she reached the others in the main room before the opening hour. They were gathered around Mr. Ikeda.

The boss clapped his hands happily. “So, did you pass your exams?”

“Yes!” Kenji exclaimed. “It’s all thanks to Hiroto!”

Satoko nodded. “Yes, I also improved compared to other years. I guess it’s all thanks to Hiroto…”

Hiroto slightly smiled. “I’m glad to hear you made it.”

“I also made it, did I do a good job?” Akito asked in a cute tone.

“Drop the act, I know you’re just in search of compliments” Hiroto replied, collected.

Akito pouted, feigning to be offended. “How dare you? You’re so rude!”

Mr. Ikeda chuckled. “Good job, everyone, and congrats for passing the exams.” A mischievous smile was depicted on his face. “I have good news for you, my dear butlers.”

A chill ran down Satoko’s spine. Why do I have a bad feeling?

“I present to you ‘The Nightingale summer edition: butler ryokan’!” He opened a brochure with the same title and showed it to them. “Since you’re still in high school I thought you would have liked to have some fun during summer, so you will work part-time in this ryokan. Food and accommodation included, the structure is near the beach: you can enjoy an amazing view and savor the sea’s smell…”

Everyone stared blankly at him while he kept on babbling about all the benefits.

Why is it making it look like an advertisement?

“Stop this nonsense!” Mr. Takahashi exclaimed. “Your mother asked for your help again, right?”

Mr. Ikeda averted his gaze, guilty. “Maybe…”

Mr. Takahashi shook his head. “You’re hopeless.”

Hiroto frowned. “Why this sudden decision, boss?”

“Well… Truth is my mother runs a ryokan near Enoshima and sometimes asks for my help during summer.” He clasped his hands in prayer. “Could you stay there during summer vacation and help her, please? She also said it’s fine if you dress up as butlers.”

So he’s dumping the work on us. Satoko sighed, resigned. It seems like I’ll be working on a ryokan too.

“Of course, boss! I can’t wait!” Kenji replied, excited. “I love going to the beach!”

“As long as I can dress up as the cutest butler, for me it’s fine” Akito replied, careless.

“What about our regular customers?” Hiroto asked.

Satoko’s mind immediately went to Minami. He’s right, I would feel so bad if I just disappeared for the summer… Plus, it’s the only way I can see him so often!

“Hiroto is right…” she mumbled.

Mr. Ikeda smiled. “No need to worry, we will offer the customers with the membership a room at the ryokan with a full time service by their favourite butler!”

Satoko almost choked on her saliva. Full time service?!! Minami-kun will choose Satoshi for sure! She turned pale. He will discover my true identity!

The boss approached her. “It’s a good occasion to stay close to Minami” he whispered in her ear, then winked.

Satoko’s head erupted like a volcano. N-No, that’s exactly what I DON’T want!

Hiroto crossed his arms. “Well, in any case, it’s not sure that everyone will accept the offer.”

Right! Minami-kun has a lot of friends, he will surely decline. Satoko calmed down. Everything will be alright: he won’t accept and I will spend peaceful vacations at the beach. She nodded to convince herself.

At the usual hour, Minami arrived at The Nightingale and Satoko welcomed him in.

“As you requested, danna-sama, I prepared everything for your stay at your summer estate” Satoko said.

Minami glanced at her with an interrogative expression. “Summer estate?”

Satoko opened the brochure and showed it to him.

“Yare yare, danna-sama, you asked me to arrange everything for your summer vacation and you already forgot? You will be staying in Enoshima for some time at your discretion to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Katase Higashihama beach and a full time service by your trusted butler. I suggest you invite your dear friends or family to enjoy this peaceful experience.”

Please, please, refuse! Satoko begged him in her mind.

Minami’s eyes lit up. “Full time service?” His cheeks blushed a little. “Does this mean you will be there for me at any time?”

“Of course, danna-sama, as always.” She bowed and brought her eyes to his level with a sharp gaze. “I will have eyes only for you.”

W-What am I even saying?! This costume is out of his mind! This way he will never refuse!

Minami bit his lips. “I will stay there all summer long.”

I knew it. Satoko died internally. Satoshi, you’re an idiot! She straightened up and slightly smiled.

“I’m glad. I can’t wait to see you finally relax, danna-sama.”

She bowed her head and walked away, desperate.

Farewell, peaceful vacations… Now I will have to hide my identity for all summer.

After getting home, she packed her things to leave the next day.

Mr. Ikeda could have told us earlier, though. She thought, while closing the suitcase’s zipper.

Even if she was a little worried about Minami’s stay at the ryokan, she couldn’t help but be excited.

I’m sure it will be so much fun! I never stayed at the beach for so long, maybe I should invite Mei and Watanabe, too.

After texting her friends, she went to sleep in a good mood.

***

“Satoshi, good morning!” As soon as she arrived at The Nightingale, Mr. Ikeda greeted her.

Satoko bowed her head. Hiroto was already there.

“Where are Kenji and Akito?” she asked.

“They’re late, as always” Hiroto replied, annoyed.

Satoko nodded. Effectively, those two were never on time.

“You always ask for my car. I never signed a contract to do the taxi driver” Mr. Takahashi complained, while putting the suitcases in the trunk.

“Do you really want me to drive?” Mr. Ikeda asked ironically.

“I’d rather die.” He shut the trunk aggressively.

At that moment, Kenji and Akito arrived and, after carrying their luggages in the trunk, they joined the others in the car. Before starting the engine, Mr. Takahashi put on earplugs.

Satoko tilted her head to one side. What is he doing?

At that moment, Mr. Ikeda put on 80s music at maximum volume and started singing at the top of his lungs completely off key.

Everyone covered their ears, except for Kenji, who joined the boss.

“Stop singing, you’re ruining my eardrums!” Akito complained.

“Someone lend me some earplugs, please” Hiroto exclaimed.